1. Next Generation Aircrew Helmet Overview

2. The Problem – In most cases, 20+ year old technology utilizing an outdated design ethic with limited anticipation of today’s high performance mission environment or advanced mission equipment.
CURRENT
Helmet Configurations = 27 Display Modules = 3
HGU-56/P
Army, USAF, USCG
HGU-55/P
USAF
HGU-55A/P, JHMCS
Navy, USAF, USMC
HGU-68/P
Navy, USMC
HGU-84/P
AH-1Z, UH-1Y
USMC
IHADSS
Army
JSF
Rotary Wing Helmets
Fixed Wing Helmets
6 Sizes
3 Sizes
Display Module
1 Size
4 Sizes
2 Sizes
Integrated

3. The Solution – Gentex’ Next Generation Aircrew Helmet System: an affordable, realistic solution for Acquisition, Operations and Support / Logistics Life Cycle Cost
Operational Equipment Compatibility
Single common helmet system for ALL fixed & rotary wing applications
Meets platform and subsystem requirements for forward & backward compatibility
Interoperability among all NVG/PNVG & HMD devices, O2 Masks, Comms, LEP, AHNR, CB Respirator, Egress, Survival & Rescue Equipment
Fully integrated, human-centric, systems engineering design
Man-in-the-loop design compatibility with all current/future life support equipment
Pilot safety and protection throughout all flight envelopes and environments
Adjustable, 2-size system with proven long duration wear and comfort
Eye-referenced stable platform design enabling optimal HMD performance

4. The Solution – Gentex’ Next Generation Aircrew Helmet System: an affordable, realistic solution for Acquisition, Operations and Support / Logistics Life Cycle Cost
Maintainable and Supportable Design
Low Development Risk
Seamless Transition to the existing Maintenance Concept
User / Maintainer-friendly design: DFM using Life Support Tech inputs
Common tools, components, repair & piece-part spares
Low-cost supply chain management
Substantial testing already accomplished
Leverages other Integrated Helmet efforts to provide running start

5. Key Design Characteristics – The Push for a Common Solution
Human Centric Systems Engineering Design
Open Architecture Hardware Design
Component Commonality
Technology Independence
Mission / Equipment / Tactics Compatible
Cross-platform Interoperability
Logistically Supportable & Maintainable
Meet or Exceed Current Flight Helmet
Performance Specifications

6. Open Architecture Design – Enables Forward – Backward Operational Compatibility with existing and future system components
Existing Equipment
PFE
Impact Protection
Visors
LEP
NVG / PNVG
JHMCS
Ejection Seat
Future Equipment
PFE
Smart Materials
SMART Visor®
Agile LEP
Integrated Night Vision
High Performance Hearing Protection
3-D Audio
Ejection Seat

7. Component / Mission Interoperability –
Top Owl OMM
AHVS OMM
JHMCS OMM
Rotary OMM
Tactical OMM
NVG/PNVG/
NVCD
Common Life Support
Module (LSM)
JSF OMM
Next Generation Helmet System
Component / Mission Interoperability –
Single, Common Life Support Module
Rapidly Reconfigurable Outer Mission Modules
Platform/Weapons/Mission/Tactics Adaptability

8. Common Helmet Program
Gentex® Exhibit: SAFE 2006

9. LSM Fitting Eye-Referenced System
Life Support Module (LSM) –
Independently Adjustable Components
Crown Pad
Brow Pad/Liner
Digitally scanned & milled, or foam-in-place
Nape Pad
Chin Strap
LSM Fitting Eye-Referenced System

10. Life Support Module (LSM) Features and Benefits
This 2-size solution fits the central 95 percentile of the target pilot male-female population. It is the primary system component in the replacement of 27 separate helmets currently in the field.
FEATURES
Pilot Retained Unit (PRU)
High stability (combination of precision scan/mill fit brow pad + open suspension)
Impact protection element
Eye-referenced design
Advanced suspension & retention
Anti-wind blast edge roll
Communications interface
ANR and PNR interface
Mask & CB respirator interface
Performs all life support functions equal to or better than all helmets it replaces
BENEFITS
Low cost component - with pilot for entire career
Comfortably secures the helmet to the head enabling use of helmet-mounted NVG’s and integrated HMD’s throughout entire flight envelope
Pilot safety and protection
Fixed optical reference for all HMD’s
Accurate fitting/adjustment for wear & comfort
Reduces neck loading, aides in sound attenuation
Compatible with standard Earcups, Inserts, Comms
Compatible with current and future AHNR
MBU-12/, -20/, -23/P and JSAM compatible
Single helmet system solution reduces acquisition, operations and support costs, and total life cycle cost of ownership

11. Mission Equipment Compatible – Night Vision Equipment Compatibility
Next Generation Aircrew Helmet LSM and Tactical OMM w/ Step-In Visor (ND, Clear, or LEP) & NVGs. Also PNVG compatible.

12. Mission Equipment Compatible – Chem-Bio Protection
Next Generation Aircrew Helmet, Tactical Variant, with Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM)

13. Mission Reconfigurable – JHMCS Concept
Next Generation Aircrew Helmet LSM with JHMCS Concept OMM & MBU-20/P mask

14. Platform Reconfigurable – Rotary Wing Variant
Next Generation Aircrew Helmet LSM with Rotary OMM and Maxillo-facial Shield
- Boom Mic hidden

15. Advanced Helmet Vision System – Next Generation HMD
Next Generation Aircrew Helmet LSM with Advanced Helmet Vision System (AHVS) HMD OMM, LEP Visor, and MBU-20/P Oxygen Mask

16. Key Logistics Considerations
The maintainer-friendly design of the Gentex Next Generation Aircrew Helmet supports a low-impact, seamless transition to the existing maintenance concept to achieve maximum system Availability (Ao) at the lowest cost of ownership
Sizing: 2-size LSM, 1-size OMM meets fitting requirements
Initial Fitting: <15 minutes
Maintenance Concept: Existing 2-Level (O/D)
MTBCF: 9,000+ hrs
MTTR: 15 min
Maintenance Interval: Scheduled Maintenance / Maintenance-On-Demand
Additional Personnel: None
Additional Skills: None
SE / TMDE: Standard ALSE Shop Toolkit
Special Tools: Eye-Reference Tool
Technical Doc’s Yes
Training Yes
Spares & Repair Parts: Organically held … supported by “overnight” SCM

17. Design Integrity – Engineering Test & Evaluation Completed to Date
Impact
6.0/6.5/9.0 mps – PASSED
Penetration
16.0 ft. – PASSED
Windblast, Mannequin, Fixed Neck
660+ knots – PASSED
Windblast, Mannequin, Flexible Neck (USAF)*
630+ KEAS – Engineering data tests, including sled, were conducted recording both Passes & some qualified failures. No info released, to date.
Nij / NMI, Instrumented Windblast
630 KEAS, JPATS 1, LM110 - PASSED
Sound Attenuation
JSF SA requirement – in process
USAF / Navy anthro sizing, fit mapping
2 sizes, Fits Central 95% of M/F Pilot Population
Validation TBD at AFRL CARD Lab
PLANNED TESTING & EVALUATION
Preliminary Tactical SOF Evaluation, NAVAIR – Q3’07
Limited Tactical Flight Test Evaluation, NAVAIR – TBD
Preliminary Rotary SOF Evaluation, NAVAIR – Q3’07
Limited Rotary Flight Test Evaluation, NAVAIR – Q4’07
Meets spec
Exceeds spec
Meets v. exceeds spec

18. GEN IV First Flight – Mojave Desert, June 2006

19. THANK YOU QUESTIONS? GENTEX® Proprietary/Competition Sensitive